6o 



The Persian Travels 



Book II 



his Army , which was upon its march to the Siege of Babylon. Now you muft 

 take notice , that not far from Aleppo , toward the Eaft , . there ftands a Houfe inha- 

 bited by the Dervies, which are a Religious Order among the Turks; though it for- 

 merly belong'd to the Monks of St. Bafil, and was a fair Govent. It is ftill in good 

 repair , the Walls of the Chambers, Halls, and Galleries being all of Marble. All 

 the Dervies of this Houfe went half a League from the City, as far as Mount Omelet, 

 to meet the Grand Signor ; and the Superiour^ at the Head of the reft, having made 

 a Speech to hisHighnefe, two Dervies came and made their obeifance in particular. 

 Which being perform'd , from that place to the Caftle of Aleppo , for half an hours 

 march together j they went juft before the Grand Signer's Horfe , turning round 

 continually with all their might, 'till they foam'd again at the Mouth , and dazPd 

 the Eyes of thofe that beheld them. There are fome of thefe Dervies that will 

 turn in that manner for two hours together , and glory in that which we account 

 folly. 



While the Grand Signer ftaid at Aleppo, the Bajha of Cayro came thither with a 

 thoufand Janizaries : And indeed , there never was a fight of Men more active, or 

 better order'd. Every one of them had Scarlet Breeches that reach'd down to 

 their Ancles , with a T vrkie-Robe of Englijl) Cloth , and a Waft-coat of Calicut 

 painted with feveral Colours. The mod part had Buttons of Gold and Silk j and 

 as well their Girdles as their Scimitars were adorn'd with Silver. The Bafia 

 march'd at the Head of this Magnificent Regiment in a modeft Garb -, but the 

 Harnefs of his Horfe was as rich as his Habit feem'd to be carelefs , having fpar'd 

 for no Coft to appear before the Grand Signor in a ftately Equipage. 



There is a neceflîty for a Man to ftay fome time at Aleppo, as well to difpofe 

 of his Affairs , and in expectation 'till the Caravan be ready, unlefs he will venture 

 himielf alone without a Guide, which I have done more than once. And thus much 

 for Aleppo , next to Conflantinople and Cayro , the moft confiderable City in all the 

 Turkift Empire. 



CHAP. III. 



Of feveral ^oads in general from Aleppo to Ifpahan , and par- 

 ticularly of the tf{oad through the great Defert. 



Here are five principal Roads from Aleppo to Ijpaban , which being added 

 to thofe other Roads which I have defcrib'd , through Natolia, make 

 feven Roads into Perfia , parting from Constantinople , Smyrna , or 



The firft of the five Roads, fetting out from Aleppo, is upon the left hand, to- 

 ward the Summer-Eaft, through Diarbek^and Tauris. The fécond direttly Eaft, 

 by Mesopotamia , through Moufful and Amadan. The third upon the right hand, 

 toward the Winter-Eaft , through Bagdat and Kengamr. The fourth fomewhat 

 more to the South , crofling a little Defert , through Anna, Bagdat, and Balfara. 

 The fifth through the great Defert , which is an extraordinary Road , never travel'd 

 but once a year, when the Merchants of Turkie and Egypt go to buy Camels. Of* 

 thefe Roads I intend to treat diftinttly, and in feveral Chapters. And firft of 

 the Road through the great Defert. 



The Caravans that go to Balfara this way never fet out 'till the Rains are faPn, 

 that they may not want Water in the Defert : and the Rain feldom holds up 'till 

 December. This Caravan , with which I travel'd, fet out upon Chriftmat-day , con- 

 fiding of about fix hundred Camels , and four hundred Men , Matters and Servants 

 together: the Caravan-Bajhi being only on Horfe-back, and riding before , to find 

 Water , and convenient places to lodge in. 



I muft confefs I had the convenience my felf to ride my own Horfe, which I kept 

 all the while I was at Aleppo. A liberty permitted the Frank* only at Conftantinople, 

 Smyrna, and Aleppo : for at Damai, Seyde, or Cayro , none but the Confuls are fuffer'd 



to 



